Communication of the Tapak Suci Pencak Silat College in Improving Gender Equality for Female Athletes

Abstract

This research aims to describe the phenomenon of women in the Tapak Suci (Sacred Palm) martial art at the Tapak Suci (Sacred Palm) Cipondoh college. This type of research is a qualitative descriptive . The subjects in this research are female athletes, male participants, and Tapak Suci (Sacred Palm) martial arts trainer in Cipondoh that totaled 3 people (one coach, one male participant, one female athlete). The technique of data collection is by interviewing in order to obtain clear data regarding to focus of the problems. The technique of data analysis is by data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions (Miles & Huberman). The technique of checking the validity of the data is using the source of triangulation technique. The results of the research explain that  there are phenomena that are symptomatic of women who participate in the Tapak Suci (Sacred Palm) martial arts  including (a) thoughts in the society about the Tapak Suci (Sacred Palm) martial arts which is followed by women, (b) the role in the society space changes to become active and confidence (c) habits change to be more positive, those who used to be lazy to do exercise  are now  happy and do exercise regularly, (d) and those who used to be shy or uncomfortable when getting along  with men are now more comfortable and they think it's normal for women to mingle with men. There is a negative view from society that considers women to be incapable and unsuitable for participating in the Tapak Suci (Sacred Palm) martial arts  which is identically for men. Women who participate in the Tapak Suci (Sacred Palm) martial arts give the response indifferently and feel fit to continue occupying the Tapak Suci(Sacred Palm) martial arts  to achieve higher levels.

Keywords: Women, Sports, Martial Arts, Tapak Suci, Pencak Silat